Copper Oxhide Ingot Marks: A Database And Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Many objects of international trade from the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean are marked with symbols of undetermined meaning. Of these, copper oxhide ingots have been of particular interest to archaeologists for decades. As the meaning of these marks is currently unknown, my work attempts to analyze patterns of them that are distinguishable through a study of the marked ingots' contextual and geographic distribution. My research resulted in a database composed of all retrievable information regarding the discovery, contextual information, and physical characteristics of all copper oxhide ingot remains and marks. The purpose of this database and distribution analysis is to contribute to the ongoing efforts to understand these artifacts so ubiquitous in Late Bronze Age settlements in the eastern Mediterranean. ii